Western Sydney investment tops $12 billion

More than $12 billion in State and regionally significant development projects were approved in Western Sydney in 2012-13, according to new figures released.

Western Sydney Development Area

Minister for Planning and Infrastructure Brad Hazzard said the projects and jobs being generated highlighted the NSW Government’s commitment for at least 50 per cent of all new jobs in Sydney to be in Western Sydney.

The figures are contained in the Department of Planning and Infrastructure’s 2012-13 annual report.

“Western Sydney is the jewel in the Crown and pivotal to NSW’s economic fortunes,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Government and private sector investment in infrastructure, employment and housing puts Western Sydney in the driver’s seat to make NSW Number one again.

“Projects approved in Western Sydney last year were worth more than the total value of all other State significant projects across the rest of NSW combined.”

“They will produce almost 4,000 ongoing full-time jobs and more than 21,000 direct and indirect jobs during their construction phases.

More than $10 billion of development was approved by the NSW Government as State significant projects – anchored by the $8.5 billion North West Rail Link – with a further $2 billion approved by the Sydney West Joint Regional Planning Panel.

Highlights of the year include:

draft Broader Western Sydney Employment Area Structure Plan - the development of the largest employment space in NSW, with 57,000 jobs over 30 years;

$70 million to upgrade Old Wallgrove Rd in the Western Sydney Employment Area, delivering jobs near major housing growth centres;

$97 million construction of the Toll IPEC Freight Transport Warehouse and Distribution Facility at Huntingwood West in Blacktown, which will create 150 new operational jobs;

Rezoning land to allow three major retail and development hubs at Penrith, Narellan and Liverpool, potentially generating more than 4,000 jobs; and

Finalising four Standard Instrument Local Environment Plans for Holroyd, Hawkesbury, Fairfield and The Hills, with capacity for more than 8,000 extra jobs.

Parliamentary Secretary for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “The future is bright in Sydney’s west – as shown recently by the NSW Government’s announcement of the WestConnex project which will create thousands of jobs and provide a vital piece of infrastructure connecting Western Sydney.”

Mr Hazzard said the delivery of the new planning system will provide a significant boost to the Western Sydney job market, particularly in the construction industry.

“Housing approvals in Western Sydney during 2012-13 made up 49 per cent of all housing approvals across Sydney.

“The new planning system currently before the Upper House will directly support an additional 2,000 jobs in Western Sydney in the residential construction industry.

“However there is still a shortfall in housing supply which is why we need the new planning system – it gives certainty to the community and industry, everyone gets a say and it will deliver the housing and infrastructure we need.” Mr Hazzard said.